The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-15

- OWO1O0mdn'S GREAT FISUts
Outing
30 extraordinary is this combat.
that II would be held a romance had
1t not been witnessed by whole army.
The hero il Jean Louis, OF whom We
have already spoken as one oil the
great masters at the beginning OF this
century, and the duel happened in Mad
rid in 1918. He was the mster-at-
arms OF the 32d regiment OF a French
infantry; the 1st reeiment, composed
entirely OF Italians, formed part OF
the same brigade.
RegimenUal esprit de corps and RI
valries OF nationalities caused con-
slant quarrels, when swords were Oft
en- whipped out or bullets exchanged.
After small battle had occurred in
the streets OF Madrid, in which
over two hundred French and Italian
soldiers had taken part, the officers
OF the two regiments, in a council OF
war assembled, decided to give such
breaches of order q great blow and to
re-establish discipline; they decreed
that mastsrs-at- arms OF the two regi
ments should take up the quarrel and
fight it out.
The drum is heard; two men, naked
to the waist, step in the ring. The
first is tall and strong; his black eyes
rove disdainfully upon the gaping
crowd; he is Giacomo Ferrari, the
celebrated Italian. The second-tall,
also handsome, and with muscles like
steel-stands modestly awaiting the
word OF command; his name is Jean
Louis. The witnesses assume their
places on either side OF their princi.
pals. A death.like silence ensues.
"On guard!"
The two masters cross swords; Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at
Jean Louis; but in vain, his every
thrust is met by parry. He makes
up his mind to bide his chance, and
caresses and leases his opponents
blade. Jean Louis, calm and watch
full, lends himself to the play, when,
quicker than lightning, the Italian
jumps aside with loud yell and
makes terrible lunge at Jean Louis
"a Forentine trick, often successful
But with extraordinary rapidity Jean
Louis has parried, and risposts quick
ly in the shoulder.
at is nothing" cries Giacomo, "a
mere scratch" and they again fall on
guard; almost directly he is hit in the
breast. This time the sword OF Jean
Louis, who is now attacking, pene.
trated deeply. Giacomo's face be-
comes livid, his sword drops from his
hand, and he falls heavily on the turf.
He is dead
Jean Louis is already in position;
he wipes his reeking blade, then, with
the point OF his sword in the ground,
he calmly awaits the next man.
Jean Louis has hardly had two
minutes rest. He is ready. A new
adversary stands before him. A sin.
lister click OF swords is heard, lunge,
a parry, rIspot, and then a cry,
sigh, and all is over. A second body
is before Jean Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
wanted Jean Louis to rest. 81 am
not tired" he answers with a smile.
The signal is given. The Italian is
as tall as the one who lies there a
corpse, covered by military
cloak. He has closely watched
Jean Louis's play, and thinks he has
guessed the secret OF his victories. He
multiplies his feints and tricks, then,
all at once bounding like q tiger on
his prey, he gives his opponent ter
rible thrust in the lower line. But
Jean Louis's sword has parted,
and is now deep within his OPP
ponent's breast.
What need to relate any more; ten
new iversaries followed him, and
the ten tell before Jean Louis amid the
excited yells and roars OF an army.
At the request OF the 32d regiments
colonel, who thought the lesson sufli
Client, Jean Louis, after much press
ing, consented to stop the combat,
and he shook hands with the two sur
vivors, applauded by 10000 men.